THE GATHERING DEAD Film Update #8
Things continue to percolate with this project, and here I’ll share with you some of the latest clips from the trailer. First off, a draft of the second scene, which shows the MH-60 McDaniels, Gartrell, and the others hope to use to escape New York City as it falls to the horde…
The Gathering Dead shot 02 v 003 from Stephen Knight on Vimeo.
This is pretty good stuff, but it’s missing many elements: smoke, fire, general haze in the air from all the obscurants, important ground-level detail, and some necessary corrections (watch the guy at the bottom right run right through a car). Aviators, yes, I know–the rotors are spinning the wrong way. I’ve asked for corrections and enhancements, but I think all of you will agree, things are progressing a bit.
Here’s a low-resolution draft where some more dramatic elements are added:
Draft Scene 2 from THE GATHERING DEAD trailer from Stephen Knight on Vimeo.
For some reason, the color temperature is off when I upload it to Vimeo–it doesn’t pop as much as I’d hoped it would, but again, this is a very low res pass at a scene which has over fifty elements in it, so I’m willing to wait until I see a longer render.
All I have time for now, but do know that Earthfall is going through editorial now. Looking forward to a late January release, and I have a final cover to show soon.
Oh, one last thing…how would you guys feel about a prequel to The Gathering Dead? A book that captures the beginning of the zombie outbreak that culminates in McDaniels and Gartrell heading to NYC on their ill-fated rescue mission?
Knight's Landing 
A prequel? Why yes! Yes, I think we would all LOVE one!
Well, I’m happy to hear that! 😀
Prequel? Sounds good to me!
Badass!
Big Yes to a prequel. Will be interesting to read of the characters responses and encounters (their first zombie kills perhaps?) as the zompocalypse develops from initial reports of outbreak up to them rollin through N.Y in TGD. Perhaps fitting in some background as to what is happening elsewhere in the world (for the eventual sequel of course!)
A Prequel? Great idea!
A prequel is a wonderful idea Stephen. Laying the groundwork for all that was to come would be extremely interesting. I hope to see you begin soon!
Fred
A prequel to the Gathering Dead sounds pretty good to me !!!!! I’d like to know how the outbreak occurred actually..
a prequel to the gathering dead would be a dream come true.considering that the gathering dead books are the best by a long shot.i really hope you have the time to do it.
Me too, Joe…me too!
As a lover of zombie novels, I know for a fact this this has the makings of a great HBO series .
Thanks, I don’t disagree. But in the end, I think The Gathering Dead would fare better on the big screen, which has a remarkable dearth of zombie-related projects shambling across it. 🙂
So is the film animated? Or are these scenes just the CG parts?
No, no…this is just for an investment trailer. Though the film will be heavily “CG-ed,” of course!
I’d love to see a prequel to the Gathering dead… as well as a sequel to City of The Damned. I’m being greedy I know. 🙂
Any idea on a release date for the movie? (sorry if it’s been asked already)
Well, the prequel to The Gathering Dead is going to happen. Sales for City of the Damned are so light that a sequel is a dark horse possibility, but I’ll be releasing a Containment Team 6 novella over the summer, so maybe if that rejuvenates CotD, I’ll give Acheson and crew another run.